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Rare first edition of Frankenstein sells for £856,000

Picture: Christie’s

An “exceptionally rare” first edition book of Frankenstein has been sold for £856,000.

The lot was estimated at £220,000.

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Only 500 copies of the seminal work by Mary Shelley were printed in 1818.

She was aged 18 when she wrote the novel.

She’d been challenged to write a ghost story by her friend Lord Byron.

A spokesperson for Christie’s said:

“The first edition in its original boards is incredibly fragile and as a result very scarce, so a copy like this, particularly in fine condition, is highly desirable to collectors.

“Overall, it’s a very strong market and we are seeing increased demand for fine examples of literary high spots.”

Frankenstein is regarded as one of the world’s first science-fiction novels.

 

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